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“FCT Council Polls: Court Confirms INEC’s Decision To Bar Labour Party”.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld the exclusion of Labour Party (LP) candidates from the upcoming Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled for February 21.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Peter Lifu refused to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept or publish the list of candidates submitted by the Labour Party.
The court dismissed the suit, filed by the Labour Party and its candidates against INEC under case number FHC/ABJ/CS/2110/2025, on the grounds that it was statute-barred.
Justice Lifu noted that the matter was a pre-election dispute under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and was not filed within the legally required timeframe. While the Labour Party filed the suit on October 7, 2025, the cause of action—the exclusion of its candidates by INEC—occurred on October 22, 2025.
The judge referenced Section 285(14)(c) of the Constitution, which requires pre-election suits to be filed within 14 days of the cause of action. “Having not been filed within the statutory period, this court no longer has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter,” he ruled.
Justice Lifu also noted that a similar case involving the same parties was pending before a High Court in Nasarawa State, which he said suggested forum shopping and further weakened the Labour Party’s position.
The Labour Party had argued that INEC acted unlawfully by excluding its candidates and omitting its logo from the list of participating parties, despite sending letters to the INEC Chairman on September 8 and October 2, 2025, which went unanswered. The party maintained that without court intervention, it would be unfairly denied the chance to field candidates in the FCT council elections.
However, the court rejected all reliefs sought by the LP and dismissed the case entirely.
INEC’s decision to exclude Labour Party candidates was influenced by the ongoing leadership crisis within the party, which prevented the electoral body from recognising the list of candidates submitted by its rival factions.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three suspected kidnappers linked to the abduction of two medical doctors’ brothers in Auchi, Etsako West LGA.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The victims, Dr. Abu Ibrahim Babatunde and his younger brother, Dr. Tahir Abu Emhoye, were kidnapped on January 2, 2026, around 7:30 p.m. on City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi. While Dr. Tahir, a fresh graduate from Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, was killed by the abductors, Dr. Babatunde, a housemanship staff at Edo University Teaching Hospital, Auchi, was released on January 15 after a ₦50 million ransom was paid.
The suspects—Saminu Kawujie, Idris Abubakar, and Sani Abubakar—were apprehended in separate operations. Kawujie was arrested on February 3 at Warrake Forest, Owan East LGA, during a bush-combing operation carried out by police, local hunters, and vigilante groups. Items recovered from him included two knives, two mobile phones, a UBA ATM card, and ₦20,250. Identification parades confirmed him as one of the abductors.
Idris Abubakar and Sani Abubakar were arrested on February 8 at the Specialist Hospital, Auchi. Both were identified as part of the gang, with Idris specifically linked to receiving the ransom for Dr. Babatunde’s release.
ASP Eno Ikoedem, the police spokesperson, said investigations are ongoing to dismantle the entire criminal network responsible for the Auchi kidnappings. Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika assured the public that all kidnapping cases will be pursued to completion, with continued intelligence-led policing and bush-combing operations across the state.
The Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, has been elected Chairman of the Progressive Speakers Conference, a forum of APC House Speakers nationwide.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Dangyatin assumed the position during the conference’s annual congress and executive elections held in Abuja. The body aims to enhance coordination among APC Speakers, promote party ideals, foster unity, and support democracy, peace, and national development.
Other key positions filled include the Ebonyi State Assembly Speaker as Deputy Chairman (South), the Nasarawa State Assembly Speaker as Deputy Chairman (North), and the Ondo State Assembly Speaker as Treasurer. Six zonal vice chairmen were also elected, including Ogun State’s Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide for the South-West zone and Plateau State’s Speaker for the North-Central zone. The new executive members are set to be sworn in on Monday, February 9, 2026.
Jigawa Governor Malam Umar Namadi congratulated Dangyatin, calling the election well deserved and expressing confidence that he would strengthen collaboration among APC members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Professor Abayomi Fasina has officially stepped down as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking at FUOYE’s 10th Convocation on Saturday, Prof. Fasina highlighted the university’s growth under his leadership, noting that it has become the fourth most sought-after university in Nigeria and has steadily improved in national rankings.
“Our progress is reflected in the 20-point agenda and transformation blueprint we have implemented since I assumed office in 2021,” he said.
He also emphasized the university’s infrastructural development, including what he called the “Blue Roof Revolution,” and expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and others for their support during his tenure.
“As a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, you are already part of our success story. I am confident FUOYE will continue to thrive under your leadership,” Fasina added.
A total of 7,684 students graduated at the convocation, including 7,396 undergraduates—with 131 earning First Class honours—and 288 postgraduates.
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